Re-create 68’s planned protests at 2008 DNC
Re: “Don’t give protesters key to city,” Aug. 29 David Harsanyi column.
David Harsanyi claims that the name Re-create 68 “is a reference to the violent 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago,” and that “anyone with even a passing historical acquaintance with 1968 knows very well the group’s name implies violence.”
But our name is not “Re-create Chicago 68” or “DNC 68.” What we want to re-create is the spirit of mass political participation of that year: a massive anti-war movement that opposed the violence of Vietnam; the optimism of the McCarthy and Kennedy campaigns that brought millions of young people into the political process; and the opening of opportunities for African-Americans, Latinos and women that could hardly have been dreamt of 10 years before. We want the democracy that the Bush administration claims to be exporting to become a reality here at home, as it promised to be and briefly was during the movements of the ’60s.
Tens of thousands will come to Denver to demonstrate at the DNC. R68 is not asking for “exclusive perks.” We are working with the city to ensure that demonstrators’ First Amendment rights are respected, and that they may exercise those rights, peacefully and legally, with minimum disruption to the city we live in.
I’m glad Harsanyi hopes that “Denver avoids the New York and Boston 2004 convention model, featuring high fences, barbed wire, spies and questionable arrests.” We share that hope. That is why we are engaged in a dialogue with city officials – not to “dictate” anything, but to avoid incidents that have resulted in millions of dollars in payouts to people whose rights were violated by those other cities.
Mark Cohen, Organizing Committee Member, Re-Create 68, Denver
…
David Harsanyi’s column about Democratic convention protesters is ludicrous. While frothing at the mouth about the potential of disrupting traffic, he attempts to denigrate the right of people to demonstrate by creating a link to violence and discredited ideology. Assassination? Marxism? Oh my God, I’m already hyperventilating with fear.
Here’s some information for Mr. Harsanyi from someone who lived in Chicago in 1968:
The violence at the convention was caused by police overreaction. The police were primed to do so by the arrogant, fascist attitude of Mayor Richard Daley. It was called a “police riot.”
The protesters (long hair and all) were a vanguard of dedicated patriots who represented the anti-war sentiments of most of the country.
Hubert Humphrey lost because he wimped out. He failed to say that the war was illegal, immoral, deceitful, and that it should come to an end immediately. His lack of courage resulted in the election of the criminal Richard Nixon, who, despite promises to end the war, continued it for another six years.
The Democratic Party, then and now, lacks the courage to implement its idealism. Then and now, people are tired of war and turned off by me-tooism.
Walt Heidenfelder, Lakewood
Alberto Gonzales: faithful servant and loyal friend
Re: “Justice must regain credibility, respect,” Aug. 28 editorial.
Your editorial does little justice to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in its slapdash attempt to castigate the Bush administration at the expense of an honorable public servant. The attorney general did not contribute to the “deterioration of civil liberties,” as you suggest. On the contrary, he was an ardent proponent of national security and the U.S. foreign surveillance program, in spite of the Democrats’ brazen attempts to scuttle them for “violating” our civil rights. While The Post was vigorously defending terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay, the attorney general was upholding the rule of law. He was a faithful servant and a loyal friend of the president. In short, Gonzales was a victim of a rash of “scandals” created by the Democrats to advance their own political agenda. In that sense, your editorial is nothing less than a disgrace.
Brian Stuckey, Denver
In defense of Sierra Club’s fundraising efforts
Re: “Letting a Sierra Club membership expire,” Aug. 18 Colorado Voices column.
I will agree with F.R. Pamp that the Sierra Club has gotten very big, with more than 1.3 million members and supporters. I agree that the club’s fundraising efforts seem tireless. And I agree that managing such a group can be a challenge. These numbers may give us clout, but seeing what comes out of Washington, D.C., tells me we still don’t have enough clout.
There is only one Sierra Club, but the club’s national organization is guided by local chapters and field offices. The Rocky Mountain chapter serves as our Colorado organization. Within the Rocky Mountain Chapter, we have 13 groups serving specific regions within our state. The chapter and its groups invite their members to participate in decision-making locally and nationally.
A case in point is the Sierra Club’s recent direction-setting process. In 2005, every chapter and group in the United States received a survey packet with opportunities to give feedback on the club’s direction, strengths and weaknesses. In October of that year, 700 club delegates from all over the country gathered to further refine this information into a coherent mission. Overwhelmingly, our members told the national leadership that they wanted the club to focus on building a new energy future.
In sharp contrast to our political institutions, the Sierra Club uses participatory decision-making whenever possible. We engage in a variety of issues for one simple reason: because somebody has to do it.
Richard Levy, Steamboat Springs
Co-Chair, Rocky Mountain Chapter, Sierra Club
Mormon Church’s charity
Re: “LDS’s can-do spirit,” Aug. 28 news story.
Thank you for the refreshing article on the welfare program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Electa Draper. The church’s charitable outreach is indeed exemplary and touches the lives of millions of people around the world. This article has come at an important time. As I have watched Mitt Romney’s campaign for the presidency, I’ve been stunned by the vitriol about Mormonism that has come from both mainstream and less well known media outlets. The only thing that has matched its ferocity has been the level of inaccurate information disseminated. So, to read an article that not only focuses on a positive aspect of the church but is also well-researched and accurate is a pleasure.
Lisa Ray Turner, Centennial
Politicians’ transgressions
Apparently, many “concerned Americans” are “deeply troubled” about the “latest” misconduct “allegation” regarding one of our “esteemed elected officials,” namely Sen. Larry Craig.
I am neither concerned nor deeply troubled. Frankly, I am totally baffled and bewildered! Where is our sense of fairness and good judgment?
If it is OK for a Democratic president of the United States to engage in oral sex with a young female intern in the Oval Office, what is the big deal about a Republican senator hitting on an adult male undercover cop in the stall of an airport men’s public toilet?
Have we lost all respect for “the right to privacy” for “our nation’s leaders” who are dedicated to “properly representing their constituents” and “serving with dignity and resolve”?
Where is the ACLU on this one? Do our legislators need a Fairness Doctrine?
Richard Doran, Parachute
Stabbing on CU campus
Re: “CU never vetted employee,” Aug. 29 news story.
It would appear that the University of Colorado has a real forte in the lack of vetting. You remember that instructor who was fired recently? You know, “what’s his name,” the pseudo-Native American. No vetting there, either.
J.F. Schlieker, Denver
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